Shuttle car



A. L. LEE

SHUTTLE CAR May 9, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 31, 1944 /NVEN7'OIQ-' Q ARTHUR L. LEE,

- HTT Y A. L. LEE

SHUTTLE CAR May 9, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 31, 1944 /N\/ENTOI ARTHUR L. LEE,

ATV-Y A. L. LEE

SHUTTLE CAR May Q, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 31, 1944 HTTY A. L. LEE

SHUTTLE CAR May 9, 195a 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 51, 1944 //v\/E/ /To/Q ARTHUR L. LEE BY ATTY Patented May 9, 1950 2,507,341 SHUTTLE CAR Arthur L. Lee, Upper Arlington; ()himassignor, by rnesne assignments, to The Jeffrey Manufacturin; Company, a corporation of Ohio Application March 31, 1944, Serial No.'528,887

Claims.

This invention relates to a shuttle car and one of the objects of the invention is toprovide a shuttle car in which there is a conveyor in the bottom of a load carrying body, which conveyor has an extensible'boom or frame portion adjacent the discharge end which may be extended and preferably simultaneously elevating the position of the discharge end or shaft to facilitate the discharging of the material, preferably coal, into the receiving conveyor, hopper, mine car or the like.

In a broader aspect, an object of the invention is to provide a selfpropelled vehicle carrying a conveyor which lies preferably in a generally horizontal plane-and in which the discharge end thereof is provided with an extensible frame portion or boom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure of the above mentioned type in which there is provided not only an extensible frame or boom portion at thedischarge end but in addition this extensible frame or boom portion is adjustable about a'horizontal axis so as to adjust the elevation of the discharge shaft. In one specific form of my invention, power operated mechanism in the formzoi hydraulic piston motors or jacks are employed so as to adjust the boom rearwardly and about its horizontal axis.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved shuttle car in which the load carrying capacity may be varied by changing the length of the shuttle car.

It still another object of my invention to provide an improved shuttle car in which the overall length of the shuttle car may be adjusted and wherein an end of an extensibleconveyor which forms the bottom of the body of the shuttle car may be variably positioned longitudinally and preferably simultaneously upwardly as the length of the car is increased.

Qther objects of the invention will appear hereinaiter, the novelfeatures and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevational view oi ashuttle embodying the featuresof my invention;

2 is a plan view thereof;

3 is an enlarged sectional elevational view mg the discharge end of the shuttle car on the longitudinal center line thereof; l lg. g is a transverse sectional elevational view taken on the line 4-4. of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, with certain parts omitted;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional elevational view of a portion of the discharge end "ofa modified form of shuttle car;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on theline o e of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional elevational view taken on-the line -'l-1-. of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is anenlarged detail view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 5; looking-in the direction of the arrows; 1

Fig. :9 is arr-enlarged detailed-view taken on the line 9-9 of-Fig. -6,-looking in the direction of the'arrows;

10 is an enlarged sectional elevational view of a portion of the discharge end '-of another modified form of shuttle car;

Fig. llis a transverse sectionalelevational view taken on the line H-l l of Fig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 12, is a-sectional elevational view taken on the line l2-l2-of Fig. '10, looking-in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. '13 isasectional view taken on the line i3-l3 of Fig. -10, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The shuttle car of my invention in many of its details follows the disclosure of my-application for Shuttle car, Serial No. 518,810, filed Jan. 19-1944, now Patent-No. 2 451569, granted Dec. 28, 1948, and it is to be understood that unless a contrary fact is indicated, the machine herein disclosed will follow that of said application.

Referring first to :Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, the shuttle car includes a mainframe on which a load carrying body H!- is rigidly mounted'which-body It has at least'some of its side members formedas an integral part-of the main frame. This body Hills of generally elongated structure-and'includes upwardly extending .andoutwardly sloping side-walls I I, H which are connected acrossthe-receiving end by a sloping end wall I2. The body it! is constructed to provideas large a capacityas is consistent with the desired height so it can operate in a low ceiling mine, as the principal function of the device is to receive coalor other material from a loading machine and transport the coal or other material under its own power to a discharge station where it isdischarged into a conveyor, hopper mine car, or other receptacle. In the case of mine cars, theyoftenhave appreciable height and consequently it is necessary to elevate the point of 3 discharge of the shuttle car to be able to discharge into them. Mechanism has been provided as a part of the shuttle car to accomplish this result.

The body ll! is provided with four wheel assembly receiving wells l3, within which are located four power driven steerable wheel assemblies H which are generally of similar construction, as described more completely in my afore-mentioned application, Serial Number 518,810. The pair of wheel assemblies l4 adjacent the receiving end of the shuttle car are driven by an electric motor l5 which is located on a platform provided by the main frame of the vehicle. The pair of wheels adjacent the discharge end of the vehicle are likewise driven by an electric motor I6, also located on a platform provided by the vehicle main frame.

The two wheel assemblies adjacent the discharge end of the vehicle are preferably mounted on a transversely extending axle I! (see Figs. 3

and 4) which is pivoted at its center along a horizontally extending axis provided by a pivot pin IS. The forward and rearward pair of wheel assemblies M are driven by transversely extending drive shafts, there being one for each pair.

'The drive shaft for the pair of wheel assemblies M associated with the axle I1 is seen at IS in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

Adjacent the discharge end of the shuttle car the side walls ll' of the body In converge so as to provide platforms or spaces and 2| on opposite sides thereof within the overall lateral confines of the body ill. Space 20 is occupied in part by an electric cable reel 22 and space 2| is an operators space where there is operators mechanism such as a steering wheel, control levers,

mechanism 25, the function of which is to convey or move material such as coal from the receiving or right hand end to the discharge or left hand end, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

By reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the material moving or conveyor mechanism '24 extends longitudinally along the center of the body l0 and in the bottom thereof over the bottom plate 23. The bottom plate 23 slopes upwardly at a gradual rate starting at a position slightly to the left of the pair of front wheels 14, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, so that'as the conveyor mechanism 24 proceeds through the restricted throat at the dis- "charge end it will have an appreciable elevation. It is, of course, obvious that the bottom plate 23 and the associated side walls ll constitute parts of the main frame of the shuttle car,

' the side members of the load carrying body, and 1 also a part of the main frame of the conveyor and that they are stationary with respect to the main frame and body 10.

To provide for an extension of the discharge position or point and also an elevation thereof when the device is discharging material, 1 pro- .vide a longitudinally extensible or sliding frame or boom 25 for the conveyor which constitutes an important feature of the invention herein claimed. The extensible frame or boom 25 includes a pair of side angle members 25, 26 (see Fig. 4). Extending across the tops of these angle members 25, 26 and rigidly attached thereto by corner angles 27, 21 is an extensible bottom plate 23 which is positioned below the rear end of the bottom plate 23 and is spaced therefrom over a, principal portion of its length by transversely extending spacer plates 29 (see Fig. 3) preferably welded or otherwise attached to the main bottom plate 23. Also suporting the bottom plate 28 is a plurality of transversely extending pipes 36, the ends of which are welded to the angle 26. At their rearward ends the angles 26 are connected by a transversely extending angle 3| which is welded thereto and which also supports the left hand end of the bottom plate 28 as viewed in Fig. 3. The right hand or forward ends of said angle members 26 are connected by a transversely extending angle member 32.

The extensible frame or boom 25 is also provided adjacent the rear portion thereof with a pair of upstanding side plates or walls 33 which are rigidly attached to the angle members 25 and to the bottom plate 28 and which telescope or slide into guideways formed between the adjacent side walls H of the body 10 and supplemental inner side plates 34 which are provided adjacent the discharge throat of the body If] as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The upper and forward ends of the side plates 34 are bent over and welded to the side Walls I l thus covering up the tops and forward edges of the extensible frame or boom side plates 33 when said boom is in its retracted position, as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The two spaced side plates 33 of the boom or extensible frame 25 carry bearing boxes 35 (see Fig. l) which receive the transversely extending discharge shaft 35 of the conveyor mechanism 24 over which the bottom plate 28 of said boom 25 extends while curving about it.

The previously mentioned conveyor mechanism 24 includes a pair of endless draft chains 31, one located at each edge of the bottom plate 23. Transversely extending material conveying flights 38 interconnect the chains 31. Adjacent the head of the vehicle, the chains 37 extend around sprockets 39 carried on a head shaft 40 which is mounted in appropriate bearings on the main frame of the vehicle. At the discharge end, the chains 3'! extend around sprockets M on the shaft 36. This run of the conveyor mechanism 24 constitutes the upper or working run thereof and is effective when the said conveyor is driven to convey material from the loading or right hand end to the discharge or left hand 'end, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The return run of the conveyor mechanism 24 is constructed to provide for free longitudinal adjustment of the extensible frame or boom 25.

To this end, the chains 31 after passing over sprockets 4! extend below the bottom plates 23 and 28 to laterally spaced sprockets 42 carried on a transversely extending shaft 43 which is journaled in a tubular housing 64 rigidly connected by end brackets 244 to the angle members 25 and forming a part of the extensible frame or boom 25. In other Words, the discharge shaft 36 and the intermediate guide shaft 43 are both mounted on the extensible frame or boom 25. After passing over the sprockets 62 the chains 31 extend to a pair of spaced drive sprockets 45 mounted on a transversely extending shaft 46 carried in appropriate journal boxes attached anism to downwardly extending portions of the side walls ll of the main frame of the vehicle. After leaving the drive sprockets 45, the chains 31 continue their return run over appropriate guides on the main frame of the vehicle to the head shaft it. The main frame is preferably provided with guides and supports for the several runs of the conveyor mechanism 24 between the shafts 0, 43 and 55. For example, adjacent each side of the main frame there is a supporting angle member 41 which supports the conveyor mechanism 24 while it travels between shafts 43 and 45 and their associated sprockets. Likewise, as the conveyor mechanism 2d leaves the sprockets 45 and travels to the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, it is supported over the axle IT by angle members 48 along opposite sides of the main frame. At the forward end of each angle member 48 there is a guiding shoe d9 cooperating with each of the chains 33' of the conveyor mechanism 2d.

The draft chains 37 of the conveyor mech- ZII are driven by an electric motor 50 which is mounted on a platform 5I formed as a [part of the main frame or body It and adjacent the discharge end thereof. It is to be noted that the motor as is entirely out of the way in its position below the discharge end of the conveyor mechanism 24. Chain and sprocket drive mechanism 52 interconnects the motor 50 with the drive shaft 45. It is obvious that the mounting of the shafts 35 and "55 on the extensible frame or boom 25, together with the manner in which the chains 31 are reeved about the sprockets on these shafts and the sprockets on the shafts ii! and 45, provides for the operation of the conveyor mechanism 24 for any desired position of adjustment of the extensible frame or boom between either of its two extreme positions, one of which is indicated in full lines in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings and the other of which is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

By reference particularly to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings it is obvious that the boom or extensible frame 25 is guided in its longitudinally sliding movement between the spaced apart Vertical side walls !I of the body or main frame it. Furthermore, support for the boom or extensible frame 25 is provided by a pair of longitudinally extending angles 56, 56 which are connected to the side plates I I, I I. When the boom 25 is in the retracted position, as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the angle supports 56 extend substantially the full length thereof. Tilting of the boom or extensible frame 25 when in an extended position is prevented by the cooperation between the supporting angles 55, 55 and the transversely extendin spacer plates 28. It is thus evident that the extensible frame or boom 25 is completely boxed in and is held against movement except for the longitudinal movement along its axis.

To provide for longitudinal adjustment of the boom 25 I provide a hydraulic piston motor or jack 53, the cylinder of which is preferably pivotally attached to a bracket 54 on the main frame or body if! and the piston of which is pivotally attached at 55 to a bracket on the angle member of the extensible frame or boom 25. It is obvious that by expanding or contracting the hydraulic piston motor 55, the extensible frame or boom 25 may be adjusted longitudinally of the main frame or body I0. The piston motor 53 is preferably of the double acting type and an.

associated control valve provides for looking it in any position 01f adjustment. Any desired form of hydraulic apparatus may be provided for operating the piston motor 53 which is capable of carrying out the above mentioned functions.

In Figs. 5, 6, 'l, 8 and 9 of the drawings I have illustrated a modified form of extensible frame or boom and associated mechanism, which not only provides for the longitudinal extension thereof but also provides for pivotal adjustment of said boom about a horizontal axis, thus further extending the possible height of the point of discharge of the conveyor. It is to be understood that unless a contrary fact is indicated, the structure of the modified arrangement will follow that previously described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5, 7 and 8 of the drawings, an extensible frame or boom seen at I25 includes longitudinally extending transversely spaced angle members I26, I26 which are interconnected by transversely extending pipes I30 and forward and rearward angle members I32 and I3I, respectively. A bottom plate I28 is rigidly connected at its sides to angle members I26 by appropriate angles I21 which are welded to the plate I28 and to the angle members I 26. Side plates I33, I33 are connected to the angle members I26, I25 and extend inside adjacent portions of the side walls II of the body Ill. Nothing similar to the side plates 34 is provided in the modification of Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive, because of the angularly adjustable nature of the adjustable frame or boom I25. Since there is no particular difference between the shafts 3B, 43 and 4B in the modification of Figs. 5 to 9, as compared with that of Figs. 1 to 4, the same reference characters are employed to designate these parts in both modifications.

The boom I25 is slidably supported upon a pair of laterally spaced angle members I55 attached to side walls II (see Fig. 5). The extensible frame or boom I25 is longitudinally adjustable by the hydraulic piston motor or jack 53 in essentially the same way that it adjusts the extensible frame or boom 25 in the modification of Figs. 1 to 4. However, to provide for swinging adjustment of the boom I25, certain modifications have been made of the machine of Figs. 1 to 4. For example, the bottom plate 23 has been cut short so that when the boom I25 is in its extended position, said plate 23 will terminate substantially adjacent the forward end of the bottom plate I28 of said extensible frame or boom I25, as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, wherein the boom I25 is shown in its full extended position. In the modification of Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings there is an appreciable overlapping of the bottom plates 23 and 28 even when the boom 25 is in its fully extended position.

When said boom I25 reaches its fully extended position, as illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 8 and 9 of the drawings, mechanism comesinto play which provides a pivotal connection between it and the main frame or body Ill of the shuttle car. This mechanism includes a pair of thick disks or cylinders 5! (see Figs. 6, 8 and 9) which are welded to the forward ends and outsides of the angle members I25 which are preferably deformed to provide adequate space for said cylinders 5i, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8 of the drawings. Said cylinders 51 abut bearing blocks 58 which are carried on removable plates 59 attached to the outsides of the side Walls I I by bolts ior thellke. The bearingblocks 58 are proadded with arcuate bearing surfaces or notches 60 (see Fig. 19) against which the cylinders 51 abut and with which they cooperate to provide a pivotal relation abouta horizontal axis which passes through the centers of the cylinders 51.

It is obvious that when the extensible frame or boom 425 is in its full extended position, the co- "operation between the cylinders 51 and the blocks 58 prevents the forwardor right hand end of the boom 125 from moving upwardly or rearwardly -or to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5, while providing 'the above-mentioned pivotal connection for said boom 125 about a horizontal axis. To swing the boom 825*aboutsaid pivotal axis I provide an upstanding hydraulic piston motor or jack 54, the cylinder of which is rigidly connected to the platform 51, preferably tothe left of the motor The piston of the motor or jack 61 is provided with apivotal "cross head 52 which carries a pair of telescoping guides .63 and which at its outer ends is provided with anti-friction rollers $4 adapted to support the horizontal webs of the angle members 128 of said extensible frame or boom [25.

it is obvious that by adjustin the hydraulic piston motor Bl and looking it in any desired position of adjustment, the elevation of the discharge shaft 36, :or, in other words the elevation of the point :of discharge of the material, 'may-beadjusted.

It may benoted that in both modifications of the device, thelongitudinal adjustment of the extensible frame or boom .or 125 of itself elevates "the position of the discharge shaft 36, since the plane .of travel thereof is inclined upwardly toward :the'tdischarge end. Additional elevation of the discharge shaft 36 and of the point of discharge of the material is, of course, realized in the "modification 10f Figs. '5 to 9, inclusive, over that of the 'modificationaof Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive.

In Figs. .10, 11, Hand 13 of the drawings I have illustrated another modified form of extensible lf-rame or'boom-an'd associated mechanism, which also providesfor the longitudinal extension thereof and for-pivotal adjustment of said boom about a horizontal axis, the latter as an incident to such longitudinal extension, the purpose of which is to increase further the height of the point of discharge of the conveyor.

"It is to be understood that unless a contrary fact is indicated, the structure of the modification of Figs. 10 tol3, inclusive, follows that previously described. .Theextensible frame or boom designated 225 is illustrated in full lines in Fig.

100i the drawings partially extended and in its position justprior'lto the beginning of the further elevation of the discharge end thereof as provided by the'special elevating mechanism. Said boom is illustrated in dot and dash lines in both the fully elevated position and in the retracted position. 'Saidboom 225 includes longitudinally extending transversely spaced angle members 225 which are interconnected by transverselyex- "tending pipes 230 iand forward and rearward anglememb'ers 232 and 23L respectively. A bottom plate 228 isfrig idly connected at its sides to angle members 226 by appropriate angles 22! which are welded to the plate 228 and to the angle members 225. Side plates 233 are connected to the angle members 226 and extend inside adjacent portions of the-side walls H of the body ill. v

The structure of the shafts 35, 43 and 56 is the same as that previously described in con- :nection with the other modlficat-ionsof the device.

The boom 225 is slidably supported upon a pair of spaced angle members 256 attached to side walls H. Said extensible frame or boom 225 is longitudinally adjustable or slidable by the hydraulic piston motor or jack 53 in essentially the same way that it adjusts the extensible frame or boom 25 or I25 previously described. However, since the boom or frame 225 is swingable, the structure generally follows that of the modification of Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive, except for certain additional modifications to be described.

For example, the bottom plate 23 has been cut short and in addition at its rearmost end is provided with a pivoted extension 223 pivoted about a horizontal axis provided by an elongated .bolt 2 53 which is connected to the side plates I I and to the bottom plate 23. This provides a pivoting hinge which, if desired, may be employed adjacont the end of the plate 23 in the modification of Figs. 5 to 9 of the drawings.

To provide for sliding guided movement of the boom 225, there is a sliding shoe 251, one on each side located adjacent the forward end of the boom 225 and each pivotally connected by a pivot pin 265 to the adjacent angle member 22E. Each of the slide shoes 25'! slides on the angle member 256 adjacent thereto, and the upper surface thereof slides below and in contact with an angle member 266, there being'one adjacent each side of the frame I'd rigidly connected as by welding to the side plate H. The angle members 256 extend rearwardly a'sufficient distance that they always confine the slide blocks 25'! beneath them for all positions of the boom 225.

When the boom 225 is moved rectilinearly rearwardly to the position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 10 of the drawings, mechanism comes into play so that upon further rearward movement thereof the rear end of said boom 225 is automatically elevated an additional amount over and above what it otherwise would be by such rectilinear movement.

This automatic elevating mechanism includes a pair of spaced arms 26! one on each side of and carried by the main frame or body It]. As seen in Fig. 11 of the'drawings each arm 25! is pivoted at its bottom on a horizontal axis by a pivot pin 268 abouta side member H of the main frame or body 19. The upper end of each arm 25'! carries an integral pin 269 which extends inwardly through an elongated arcuate slot 210 formed on the adjacent side plate H.

Each angle member 225 of the boom 225 carries a forked block 21! having a notch in its forward end adapted to receive the pin 259 and abut against it when the boom 225 reaches the full line position illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings. Under these conditions the arms 26! are in the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings.

As the hydraulic motor or jack 53 continues to force the boom 225 rearwardly, it is obvious that the two arms 2-5! will swing about their pivots 2G8 and will thus cause the boom 225 to pivot about the axis of the pivot pins 265, thus appreciably elevating thedischarge end thereof, together with the simultaneous rearward longitudinal movement thereof. Under the continued influence of the motor or jack 53, the boom 225 will reach the uppermost dot and dash .line position illustrated and the arms 25] will swing to their uppermost positions-which are the dot and dashline positions illustrated-.in Fig- 10, of the drawings.

In order to provide-for. the. withdrawing of. the boom.225 or, in other words, the retractionthereof, into the lower; dot and. dash. line position illustratedin'Fig. 10 of the drawings, it: is necessary to terminate the forwardends of thewalls 233 thereof at: a position rear-wardly of the forward end of the bottom plate. 228 and in this respect the boom 22ii dilfers from booms l25-and 2.5. However, the structure of;the. boom 225 now to be described may be substituted for comparable parts of. the previously described boom I25.

The forward ends of said side walls 233 terminate along a line 212. As evident from a consideration of the structure of the/boom where, in its uppermost. position as; illustrated inthe dot and dash line;in-.Fig,,10 of the drawings, in view-cf the termination of the side Walls 233. at 212:,[it is, necessary to provide some-supplemental sidewall devices to continue the trough side walls of said boom 2.25 when so elevated. To this end, adjacent itsrear end each side wall H is provided withra pivoted; plate2'l3. (see Fig. 11) which isgenerally triangular; in: shape, each of said plates 273 being pivoted, atits rear or apex end by a pivot -pin.21'l4; to; the'adjacent side plate H of the-mainframe-orbody; Ill. The pivot plates 213 are preferably located; inside the side plates; H.

with the boom 22.5 in theretractedposition or in.the, fulllinepositionillustratedin Fig. 10 of1the drawings; each: of. the plates 213.. will. be. in: the. dotted. line: position as. illustrated in Fig. 10. of thedrawings; Astheboom 225. swings upwardly about its. pivot, theatwo plates 213. will swing upwardly; about. their pivots 2'86, each.

. being carried.v by. a hooked portion 215.: formed. at. the upper rear edge ofieachplate 21 3 which.

hooks over. theadjacent wall 233=j.of. saidboom 225.. Thus. the plates zisiform substantial continuations of: the side walls 233-;particularlywherr the .boom: 2 2.5 .is inits elevated position. Aszboom'. 225 is lowered from its: elevated position in response. to a retraction of theboom. by. the piston or motor 53', under the guiding influence. of. the pivotarms. 261,.the; plates 213', will swing. downwardly by'gravitytoitheir dotted line positions as; illustrated in Fig. 10 vof the: drawings.

In the operation. of. thedevice in: each of the. three modifications, materialsuch; as coal is received. by. the body Hi; being delivered. thereto largely over thel'oading. or right hand. end,. as. viewed inzFigs. 1:. and 2. of; the drawings. When. the body. Ii}; is filled; with material the vehicle is; operated under its own power by driving the four wheels l4, which,are also preferably steerable to carry'thematerialtoany position where it is to be discharged, such as to a.main-conveyor,- hopper, mine car or'the like. At-this position, the boom-25, I25 or 225-is-extended so thatthedischarge-point or the position of the shaftv 36 will; be adequately elevated and adequately extendedrearwardly over'the receptacle so. that material. can freely discharge intoit.. The endless conveyor mechanism 24 isv then. operated to-convey material to the left or to the. rear,.over the.discharge shaft 36' and into thereceptacle.

The machines illustrated in the modifications. ofFigs. 5 to 9, inclusive, and Figs. 10.to 1.3, in? clusive,.have greater flexibility than: that of- Figs. 1 toe, inclusive-in that they can discharge into. a receptacleof greater height than the device of. Figs. 1 to 4, by. virtue of the adjustment in. elevation ofthe discharge, shaft 36. after the.-eX- tensible frame or boom I or 225 has been fully. extendedto, themaximum amount or as an incident of such? extension.

After-the. shuttle car has-discharged all of its material by theoperation of. the. conveyor mechanism 24.-.the boom 25, 1 25 or 225 will beretracted and in caseit is-boom. 125.01. 225. it will also be. loweredto the position illustrated in the drawings asabove described. The empty vehicle will. then be driven by its operator back tothe loading machineto-bedoaded. again andthe operation repeated.

It will-,be-seen that the-extensible or sliding boom or'frame 2d and the. parts of which it is comprised form. a. portion of; the load. carrying body-that telescopes-. withthe body it and that the; frame; or boomportion 25' may be extended to increase; the length of the shuttle car. and simultaneously thevolumetric. capacity of its load carrying body. This is an important feature ofmyzinvention. In many; instances during the. transportation; of. ashuttle car through a. mine and air-sharp. curves thereiniit isjmpo 'tant, ii not.

critical; that theoverall ,iength of theshuttle car be. at: aminimum and vetthe shut y be used in a mine room or tunnel wherein'ia. large operating. area. is.v available. In such. case. it: then becomes extremely desirable that-the; shuttle car be capable of carrying. a largesquantityof coal, By my: structure the. shuttle; carmay: be. short:- ened', for example, to permititsentry into the mine'and when it reaches the area: in whichv ity is. to-work= it"may' be lengthened any desired amount: up to its-maximum length" and volumetric orload carrying capacity to enable'it to carry as large a quantity otcoal'as-the spaceinwhich the shuttle car is operating"; Will -permit.

It is thus obvious that I- have provided a very flexible shuttle car and-while; the specific embodiment; of my" invention directed to such avehicle, it" is to be understood that in certain broader aspects of theinvention it may extend to other devices such as. conveyors, loaders, and the like.

Obviously, those-skilled. in the art may make various changes, inthe details and arrangement of. parts. without departing from the spirit and scope of'the, invention as defined by the claims hereto. appended} andIL wish therefore not to" be restricted to. theprecise construction herein disclosed;

Havingthusdescribed and shown an embodiment of my invention, what I now desire to secure. by. Letters Patent of, the United States is:

1.. Ashuttlecar, including a main frame, wheel means. for. supporting andtransporting said main frame, aload carrying body on said main frame, anelongated conveyor. in thebottom of saidfbody, an.extensibledischarge. boom for said conveyor adapted tov extend the length thereof, means pivotally mounting said. boom for adjustment about a horizontal. axis. relative. to the other portion of said conveyor,.m.eans-for adjusting said boom to increase the conveyor length,. and means. for adjusting said' boom about its pivotal axis. I

2. In a. shuttle car, a, conveyor including a main frameportion, an extensible frame, portion,

endless chain. andifiight. mechanism extending.

over. bothsaidf portions means mounting said extensibleportion. for pivotal, movement when it is inits extendedposition and means including an' upstanding hydraulic, jack having a supporting cross head under. saidi'ext'ensible portion for ad'- justing said extensible portion about its pivotal axis.

3. In a shuttle car, a conveyor including a main frame portion, an extensible frame portion, endless chain and flight mechanism extending over both said portions, means mounting said extensible portion for pivotal movement, and means including an upstanding hydraulic jack having a supporting cross-head under said extensible portion for adjusting said extensible portion about its pivotal axis.

4. In a shuttle car, a conveyor including a main frame portion, an extensible frame portion, endless chain and flight mechanism extending over both said portions, means mounting said extensible portion for pivotal movement when it is in its extended position, and means including an upstanding hydraulic jack for adjusting said extensible portion about its pivotal axis.

5. In a shuttle car, a conveyor including a main frame portion, an extensible frame portion, endless chain and flight mechanism extending over both said portions, means mounting said extensible portion for pivotal movement, and means including an upstanding hydraulic jack for adjusting said extensible portion about its pivotal axis.

6. A shuttle car in which the maximum overall length and the point of discharge therefrom may be adjusted including a telescoping load carrying body, wheels for supporting and transporting said telescoping body, an extensible conveyor including sections and an endless material moving means extending thereover, said sections forming the bottom of said load carrying body each having means forming side members of the load carrying body, one of said sections being disposed at an upward angle and extendable with respect to the other of said conveyor sections, means for extending said one section whereby when it is extended its outer discharge end moves outwardly and upwardly, means forming a pivotal connection about a horizontal axis between said conveyor sections when said one section is fully extended, and means including a hydraulic jack for adjusting said one section about said horizontal axis whereby the outer end of said section may be moved arcuately when it is fully extended.

7. A shuttle car in which the maximum overall length and the point of discharge therefrom may be adjusted including a telescoping load carrying body, an extensible conveyor including sections and endless material moving means extending thereover, said sections forming the bottom of said load carrying body each having means forming side members of the load carrying body, one of said sections being disposed at an upward angle and extendable with respect to the other of said conveyor sections, means for extending said one section whereby when it is extended its outer discharge end moves outwardly and upwardly, means forming a pivotal connection about a horizontal axis between said conveyor sections, and means for adjusting said one section about said horizontal axis whereby the outer end of said section may be moved arcuately when it is fully extended.

8. A shuttle car in which the maximum overall length and the point of discharge therefrom may be adjusted including a telescoping load carrying body, an extensible conveyor including sections and endless material moving means extending thereover, said sections forming the bottom of said load carrying body each having means forming side members of the load carrymg body, one of said sections being extendable with respect to the other of said conveyor sections, means for extending said one section whereby When it is extended its outer discharge end moves outwardly, means forming a pivotal con nection about an axis between said conveyor sections when said one section is fully extended, and means for adjusting said one section about said axis whereby the outer end of said section may be moved arcuately when it is fully extended.

9. A shuttle car in which the maximum overall length and the point of discharge therefrom may be adjusted including a telescoping load carrying body, an extensible conveyor including sections and endless material moving means extending thereover, said sections forming the bottom of said load carrying body each having means forming side members of the load carrying body, one of said sections being extendable with respect to the other of said conveyor sections, means for extending said one section whereby when it is extended its outer discharge end moves outwardly, means forming a pivotal connection about an axis between said conveyor sections, and means for adjusting said one section about said axis whereby the outer end of said section may be moved arcuately.

10. A shuttle car, including a main frame, wheel means for supporting and transporting said main frame, a load carrying body on said main frame, a substantially horizontal elongated conveyor in the bottom of said body, an extensible discharge boom for said conveyor adapted to extend the length thereof, means pivotally mounting said boom for adjustment about a horizontal axis relative to the other portion of said conveyor, power operated mechanism for adjusting said boom rectilinearly to increase the efiective length of said conveyor, said mechanism including a reciprocating hydraulic motor pivoted at one end to said main frame and at the other end to said boom, and power operated mechanism for adjusting said boom about its pivotal axis, said last named power operated mechanism including a separate hydraulic motor.

11. A shuttle car, including a main frame, wheel means for supporting and transporting said main frame, a load carrying body on said main frame, a substantially horizontal elongated conveyor in the bottom of said body, an extensible discharge boom for said conveyor adapted to extend the length thereof, means pivotally mounting said boom for adjustment about a horizontal axis relative to the other portion of said conveyor, power operated mechanism for adjusting said boom rectilinearly to increase the effective length of said conveyor, and power operated mechanism for adjusting said boom about its pivotal axis, said last named power operated mechanism including a separate hydraulic motor.

12. A shuttle car, including a main frame, wheel means for supporting and transporting said main frame, a load carrying body on said main frame, a substantially horizontal elongated conveyor in the bottom of said body, an extensible discharge boom for said conveyor adapted to extend the length thereof, means pivotally mounting said boom for adjustment about a horizontal axis relative to the other portion of said conveyor, power operated mechanism for adjusting said boom rectilinearly to increase the effective length of said conveyor, said mechanism including a reciprocating hydraulic motor pivoted at one end to said main frame and at the "other end to said boom, and power operated mechanism for adjusting said boom about its pivotal axis.

13. A shuttle car, including a main frame, Wheel means for supporting and transporting said main frame, a load carrying body on said main frame, a substantially horizontal elongated conveyor in the bottom of said body, an extensible discharge boom for said conveyor adapted to extend the length thereof, means pivotally mounting said boom for adjustment about a horizontal axis relative to the other portion of said conveyor, power operated mechanism for adjusting said boom rectilinearly to increase the effective length of said conveyor, said mechanism including a reciprocating hydraulic motor pivoted at one end to said main frame and at the other end to said boom, and power operated mechanism for adjusting said boom about its pivotal axis, said last named power operated mechanism including said reciprocating motor and pivoted arm means on said main frame pivoted on a horizontal axis and constructed to contact said boom as it travels rearwardly to pivot it about its pivotal axis to elevate its free end.

14. A shuttle car, including a main frame, wheel means for supporting and transporting said main frame, a load carrying body on said main frame, a substantially horizontal elongated conveyor in the bottom of said body, an extensible discharge boom for said conveyor adapted to extend the length thereof, means pivotally mounting said boom for adjustment about a horizontal axis relative to the other portion of said conveyor, power operated mechanism for adjusting said boom retilinearly to increase the effective length of said conveyor, said mechanism including a reciprocating hydraulic motor pivoted at one end to said main frame and at the other end to said boom, and power operated mechanism for adjusting said boom about its pivotal axis, said last named power operated mechanism including said reciprocating motor.

15. A shuttle car, including a main frame, wheel means for supporting and transporting said main frame, a load carrying body on said main frame, a substantially horizontal elongated 14 conveyor in the bottom of said body, an extensible discharge boom for said conveyor adapted to extend the length thereof, means pivotally mounting said boom for adjustment about a horizontal axis relative to the other portion of said conveyor, power operated mechanism for adjusting said boom rectilinearly to increase the efiective length of said conveyor, said mechanism including a reciprocating hydraulic motor pivoted at one end to said main frame and at the other end to said boom, and power operated mechanism for adjusting said boom about its pivotal axis, said last named power operated mechanism including pivoted arm means on said main frame pivoted on a horizontal axis and constructed to contact said boom as it travels rearwardly to pivot it about its pivotal axis to elevate its free end.

ARTHUR L. LEE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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